Bundesliga strugglers Hannover have appointed former Werder Bremen and Eintracht Frankfurt coach Thomas Schaaf as their new coach on a contract until 2017.
Schaaf, 54, has been out of work since the end of last season and takes the place of Michael Frontzeck, who resigned prior to Christmas.
"I felt from the very first minutes of our talks that Thomas could fully identify with this challenge," Hannover's general manager Martin Bader told the club's official website.
"His curriculum and his experience speak volumes. He has worked successfully in the Bundesliga for decades."
Schaaf returns to a Bundesliga bench six months after stepping down as Frankfurt coach, despite leading them to a respectable ninth place.
"I had some good talks with Hannover's management in recent days and I am aware of how difficult the task is, yet I am looking forward to overcoming this big challenge of staying up together with the team," Schaaf said.
Hannover ended the first half of the season inside the relegation zone, a point from safety but also only a point from the foot of the table. Their first game after the winter break comes at home to promoted Darmstadt on Jan. 23.
Schaaf spent 14 years as coach of Bremen before resigning in 2013 at the end of their worst season under his guidance.
During his time there, he led the club to a Bundesliga and DFB Pokal double in 2004, as well as to two further domestic cup triumphs. Bremen were regulars in the Champions League for much of Schaaf's reign.